Research paper for God: A post from Darin.

I really enjoyed reading this and I could really identify with him about this. I liked it so much I thought I would just share it with everyone.

Our walk with Christ can be like a research paper for school. You have all quarter to finish this paper, and it is even on a topic you feel pretty good about. You are given the assignment and you think, well this is a big project I should start early. So you do, you dig deep into research and you start getting it done, your typing and it just feels soooo good to get a head start. Then the quarter goes on and other things seem to get in the way and now the research paper is not a top priority, even though it is something that will take a lot of time and effort to get done. Pretty soon the quarter is nearing an end and you finally have some time to work on it. But now, it's been so long, you have no motivation to work on it at all, instead you decide to put it off until the last minute. And then before you know it, the paper is due, you are up late the night before trying to finish it really quick. You are making up references, your copying and pasting and even find yourself writing your teacher an email that night to explain why you want a couple extra days to finish it. Eventually you turn it in and get some grade.

I don't know about you but that sounds a lot like my walk with God lately. But what I realized today, is that God's research paper could be due at anytime. And if you haven't worked on it and showed some effort, you will fail. You can't wait until the last minute to work on God's research paper, because the last minute is too late. And when the paper is finally due, there is no second chances. When He has come and your not ready, there is no email to explain your reasons, there is no time to cram, you have simply put it off too long. And too long is one day, one hour, one minute of your life. So why do I keep putting it off?

One thing I realized was that sometimes on that paper due for school, you literally have to force yourself to do it, even if you don't want to. And sometimes with God, you have to do that. It might not sound great to force yourself to read your bible or pray or worship but if that is what it takes, THEN DO IT. Because God would respect that, and He would know that even though your heart is currently weak or just not in the right spot, that you are making an effort, you are working on your research paper, and eventually that fire will come back. But whatever you do, do not put off the research paper. It is just not worth it.

I feel especially blessed to have him in my life. Darin is constantly encouraging me to push for the best, never settle, and mainly appreciate what I have. He sure is a great guy! :)